Exploring possibilities for striking a balance in farming

Despite the busy silage season and favourable weather conditions for baling, 40 parishioners gathered in Killinkere Leisure Centre to engage with Bishop Martin Hayes. The discussion ranged from farming, and rural life to the challenges facing agriculture today.

“I don’t want to keep people long because I’m probably interfering with baling,” he joked while looking out at the skies.

Bishop Martin Hayes comes from a farming background in Tipperary where his brother was currently baling.

Local IFA stalwart Sean Denning led through the discussion focused on the changing face of rural Ireland. Farmers spoke about how agricultural life has transformed over the decades, from labour and costs to global market pressures and environmental expectations.

Participants reflected on how Killinkere once had more than 200 dairy farmers, many milking six or eight cows, while today only a small number remain, operating much larger farms but producing roughly the same amount of milk overall.

There was also strong recognition of the importance of local cooperation through the parish’s group water schemes, which Bishop Hayes described as an example of communities working together for the common good.

“You can see that it brings the best out in people when there are those water schemes and there has to be cooperation,” he said.

Farmers at the meeting spoke about the increasing pressures on family farming, with many younger people moving into other professions because farming no longer provides enough income to sustain family life.

They discussed how global events now directly affect local livelihoods, from grain prices in the United States and oil instability in the Middle East to Chinese mass pig production and the war in Ukraine.

Bishop Hayes listened carefully, drawing on his own family experience of farming. He recalled helping cool milk churns using water tanks and spoke about his brother in Tipperary, who is currently expanding his dairy operation while balancing rising costs and environmental regulations.

The visit also explored the connection between farming and Laudato Si’, Pope Francis’ landmark document on care for creation, for which Bishop Hayes serves as spokesperson within the Irish bishops’ conference.

“Care For Creation is very close to my heart,” he said. “There is this debate going on about climate change and water quality, and farmers are getting stick over it. But there’s a balance to be found between intensive farming and Care For Creation.”

He acknowledged the difficult position in which many farmers find themselves; trying to remain economically viable while also protecting biodiversity and the environment.

“As a farmer’s son, I understand the dilemma,” he said. “How intensely do you farm while making sure there is land there for the future?”

The bishop also praised local farmers who are embracing environmentally responsible practices, including fencing waterways and protecting rivers flowing through their farms.

In closing, local organisers thanked Bishop Hayes for creating space for open discussion in the heart of farming country.

“To simply assemble and hear what the issues are pertaining to your lives needs to be heard,” one grateful speaker contributed. “We’re glad we’ve had this opportunity.”